Karen Blackledge
PENNS CREEK -- Volunteers took turns holding and feeding two female gray squirrels, whose eyes have not yet opened, found by a tree trimmer.
"We get a lot of squirrels from tree services. If people see them out of their nest, it's OK to touch a baby squirrel, baby bunny or a baby bird. It's best to put them back in the nest," said Kathie Guilfoose who, with her husband, Dr. Mark Guilfoose, are licensed wildlife rehabilitators. They, and what are known as sub-permittees, participated in Saturday's Animal Rescue Awareness Day hosted by T & D's Cats of the World Exotic and Wild Animal Refuge which continues from noon to 4 p.m. today. The sub-permittees, who can also rehabilitate wildlife, were Traci Phillips, of New Columbia, Audrey Michaels, of the Milton area, and Joyce Derr, of the Lewisburg area.
This time of year, they get orphaned or injured animals which include flying, red, gray and fox squirrels, chipmunks, songbirds, opossums, waterfowl and "always bunnies," Kathie said.
"When people find bunny nests that have been disturbed by mowing or by dogs or cats, it's best to rebuild the nest and put the bunnies back," she said.
The Guilfooses, who live in the Danville area, care for about 300 animals and birds each year. Because they are the only licensed rehabilitators in this part of the state, people bring them animals and birds from as far as Wellsboro.
They got involved five years ago because they are wildlife lovers and "wanted to give back to the community as a public service," she said. They took courses, passed exams and have to take updated training each year through the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
"My favorite is the logger who brought us a whole log of four baby red-bellied woodpeckers," said Kathie who kept them a couple of months and then released them. "We like to put them back where they came from unless it's too dangerous," she said. They planned to release four flying squirrels Saturday. The two babies and a mother and father came from an attic. The Guilfooses kept them until the youngsters reached a certain age.
Her husband Mark, a family physician at Geisinger, remembered the nurse who found a dead possum along the road. "She saw something moving and reached in the pouch and found 12 babies," he said. "I don't know how she found us, but she did," he said.
In the Guilfoose home, it's not unusual to see wild birds in cages. Their rescues all start out in incubators. Currently, they are caring for 61 birds and animals.
Also participating in the special day were Rainforest Reptile Rescue, of Beverly, Mass.; Lycoming Animal Protection Society which is a no-kill cat shelter and Far Point Animal Rescue caring for dogs, cats and horses.
Leonard, a 30-year-old African Spur Thigh Tortoise, roamed the area, stopping to graze on grass. He was given to the reptile organization by someone who could no longer care for him. With him were other turtles, alligators and snakes.
"In 15 years, the organization has taken in hundreds of animals," herpetologist Kristen Wendling said. The group travels with some of its animals to New England and Pennsylvania and maintains a facility in Massachusetts.
They get them as a result of abuse, neglect or being owned illegally. "People thinking of getting this type of an animal need to think about the space, the time and that it's a life commitment. Some of these animals can outlive them," she said.
Most of the animals at T & D's were pets at one time and had been abused, mistreated or unwanted, said Jennifer Mattive, one of the owners of the rescue where slightly more than 200 animals, including 60 lions and tigers, call home.
During the Wildlife Awareness Day, visitors can tour T & D for a fee. T & D operates from admission fees from the 40 days a year it is open and from donations.
Lycoming Animal Protection Society or LAPS recently moved to South Williamsport where volunteers care for 70 to 75 cats that are available for adoption. Board member Linda Williard was selling T-shirts and other items to help the shelter pay its rent that recently doubled. She is also a volunteer with Mostly Mutts no-kill dog shelter in the Sunbury area and Pennsylvania P.E.T.S. (Prevent Excess Through Sterilization). LAPS can be reached at 327-8707 and donations sent to the organization at 195 Park Drive, SouthWilliamsport, PA, 17702.
Next to her was Elaine Foster who makes dog scarves for all occasions to raise money for Fair Point Rescue to help pay for hay for horses. Far Point, of the Port Trevorton area, has 24 horses some of which are not adoptable and dogs and cats in need of homes. Scarves may be ordered at and Far Point reached at 374-2696. Donations may be sent to the organization at 1105 Red Hill Road, Port Trevorton, PA, 17864.
T & D's will sponsor another special event Sept. 20 to show off three new tiger enclosures. One tiger will live in each enclosure covering about a third-acre. Scout Weekend will be Oct. 18 and 19 at the refuge, which can be reached at 837-3377. Contributions may be sent to T & D's at P.O. Box 186, Penns Creek, PA, 17862.
n E-mail comments to kblackledge@dailyitem.com.
